Bridle-bit



(N Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. O. TIGKNBR.

BRIDLE BIT.

No. 351,007. Patented Oct. 19, 1886.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. G. TIOKNER.

BRIDLE BIT.

No. 351,007, Patented Oct. '19, 1886.

UNHE Starts- ARVIX C. TICKNER, OF SYRACUSE, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNUH OF ONE-HALF TO JEROME .V. MILLIXGTON, OF CHICAGO, lLLlKOlS.

EPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent $30,351,007, dated Uctccer 19, 1886.

Application filed January 23, 18:36. Serial No. 189,525.

.L0 aZZ whom it; may concern:

Be it known that I, ARYlN O. TICKNER, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in BridleBits, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan View of a bit embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken on the line a: x of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a side view, a portion being broken away to show the construction; Fig. at, a sectional view taken on the line y 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a sectional view taken on the line 2 z of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow 1; and Fig. (i, a sectional view taken on the line z of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow 2.

Like'letters refer to like parts in all the lignres of the drawings.

My invention relates to bridle-bits, its object being to provide a bit by means of which the horse to which it is applied may be effectually checked to prevent his running away, kicking, or otherwise acting viciously, and which will give the driver complete control of the horse.

I will now proceed to describe a construction in which I have practically carried out my invention in one form, and will then particularl y point out in the claims those features which I deem to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent.

In the drawings, Arepresents the bit proper, and Band B the cheek guards or pieces. These parts may be of any approved construction as far as concerns their general construction. In the present instance I have shown the former as tubular in shape, and externally threaded at each end to receive the latter, which screw thereon.

The bit A is provided with a slot or groove, a, to receive a lever, O, which is arranged within the bit, but is capable of being projected therefrom by the mechanism hereinafter described, being pivoted to the bit by means of a pivot, to, near its outer end, as clearly shown in Figs. 1., 4t, and 6. The lever is preferably provided at its inner end with a somewhat sharp toe or projection, c.

(No model.)

The cheekguard B is preferably made solid or in a single piece, as shown; but the cheek guard B is constructed in two parts, with a space between them to receive and'protect the mechanism. The inner part, 1), consists of a flat disk, which screws upon the end of the bit A, as hereinbefore described, while the outer part, Z), consists of a cupped or flanged disk which fits upon the disk I), being secured thereto by screws If or other suitable means. The disk 'I) is provided with suitable guides or ways, d, to receive a sliding plate, I), which is provided with a cam-slot, D, into which the outer end, c, of the lever projects, as shown in Fig. 2. To the plate 1) is connected the post E, to which the ring E, to which the rein is attached, is secured. This post passes through a suitable slot, 6, in the outer disk of the clreelcguard, being provided extcriorly with a flange, c, to cover the said slot, and thus protect the internal mechanism from dust and dirt.

The sliding cam-plate i) is normally thrust forward by a suitable spring or springs. The particular construction which I prefer for this purpose is that shown in the drawings, in which, referring more particularly to Fig. 5, two fiat or strap springs, F, are employed, arranged one on each side of the plate, and bearing with one end against a suitable seat, f, on the cheek-guard, and with the other end against a suitable seat, f, on the plate. Vith this construction the resistance offered by the plate to any strain may be regulated to suit the inclination of the user by using a greater or less number of springs, placing them in position. side by side in an obvious manner.

G represents a locking-screw, which passes through the cheek-guard and takes into the plate D, this screw being designed for employment only when for any reason it is not desired to have the checking mechanism operate.

The operation of my device is as follows: Under ordinary conditions, or when locked, the bit forms a plain easy bit, having all the advantages of the bit in ordinary use; but in case the horse becomes restive or acts in a frantic manner, attempting to run away, kick, or otherwise misconducts himself, the additional pull on the reins'will cause the plate D to overcome the resistance of the springs ICO and move back, thereby acting on the lever through the medium of the canrslot and causing it to project and strike the roof of the horses mouth, thus throwing up his head and checking him. As soon as the additional pull on the reins ceases the lever again takes its place in the groove and the bit becomes-an ordinary bit.

, It will be observed that the mechanism which operates the lever is entirely concealed and protected from damage, and is at the same time simple and strong in construction.

In the construction hereinbefore described,

and shown in the drawings, but a single lever operated from one side of the bit is shown. It is obvious, however, that two levers may be employed, and I contemplate the use of such a duplicate construction, which may be found advantageous under certain circumstances. It is also obvious that various mechanical modifications in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the principle of my invention: I therefore do not wish to be understood'as limiting myself to the precise details of construction hereinbefore described, and shown in the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bridle-bit, the combination, with the bit proper, of the lever pivoted thereto and connected to and operated by the reins, and a spring or springs arranged to hold the said lever in place against the pull. of the reins, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a bridle-bit, the combination, with the bit proper, of the lever pivoted thereto, and

sliding plate connected to the rein and provided with a cam-slot with which the lever engages, and a spring or springs to thrust said plate forward, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The combination, with the bit proper and pivoted lever, of the hollow cheek-guard, and the cam-slotted sliding plate'and its springs arranged within the cheek-guard, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination, with the sliding plate D and the springs, of the cheek-guard made in two separable parts to inclose the same, and provided with guides at and slot 6, and the post E, secured to the plate and provided with washer e, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination, with the slotted bit, of I the lever pivoted within the slot, mechanism connecting the said lever and-the reins, and a spring or springs arranged to hold the lever normally within the slot, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a bridle-bit, the combination, with the cheek-guard provided with seats f, of the sliding plate provided'with seats f, and a series of fiat springs, F, arranged in said seats, sub- 

